A Beautiful Mess Podcast

This week we're recapping the goals we set for ourselves for 2025, what we accomplished, what we didn't and anything that we're keeping on the list for 2026. We're talking about what makes a good goal and our personal goal setting criteria. We're also sharing our weekly book report and beginning a new segment where we debate listeners hot takes at the end of every episode!   The goals we set in our 2025 NY Goal episode: Emma: Get a minivan - No Ambitious food blogging list - Had to pivot in April Pitch cookbook idea - Did pitch but not working on right now Emma's romance (outline and write half) - Yes Elsie: Write every day - No Query my novel - Yes Write second novel - Started it Launch art website and sell art - Did sell art but didn't make a website One renovation to rule them all - Yes   Most proud to have accomplished in 2025: Elsie - Got passports and taking first trip Emma - Finishing her novel   Unforeseen project you spent a lot of time on in 2025: Elsie - Rewriting her novel Emma -Hugo   Accomplishment that wasn't on the list: Elsie - Retraining for a new career Emma - Celebrated 40th Birthday   Book Report: Emma - Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez Elsie- The Uncool by Cameron Crowe   You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.  

This week we're recapping our favorite things from the past year, including movies, books, purchases, favorite memories and new things that we tried. Thank you to this week's sponsor: Get 25% off your first month at Ritual.com/ABM Favorite movie: Elsie - Weapons and The Italian Job (1969) Emma - Wicked: For Good Favorite book: Elsie - The Wedding People and 100 Years of Solitude Emma - Lessons in Chemistry, Funny Story, and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo Favorite purchases: Elsie - Louise Carmen Journal and her kitchen Emma - Lavender Birkenstock Clogs, pastel lime green sweater, blue sweater, scarfs, and new tattoo Favorite memory: Elsie - Going to italy Emma - Hugo walking and going to Italy Favorite new thing you tried: Elsie - Water color painting Emma - eyeglasses and eating raw fish/sushi Favorite candle: Elsie - Walmart Fresh Cut Frazier Emma - Bath and Body Works Leaves, Burlap Bag, and Thistle Farms You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.  

This week we're doing a Comfort rewatch episode for a holiday movie that we love, The Family Stone from 2005 and we're dedicating this episode to Diane Keaton.   Thank you to this week's sponsor: Try OneSkin with 15% off using code MESS at oneskin.co Try their products and support our show by going to DrinkLMNT.com/ABeautifulMess   Cozy interiors: Front room with the Christmas tree Entryway   Favorite moments: Emma - Love story between Amy and Brad, when the sister can't get the engagement ring off her finger, and the mom and dad in bed when they show she's had a mastectomy Elsie - Bar scene, opening scene of Diane Keaton looking at Christmas tree, Judy Garland scene, and when she spills the egg mixture on the floor   Moment you cringed the hardest: Emma - From the beginning when they are really mean to Meredith Elsie - When he goes for her sister   You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.  

This week we are riffing about our favorite Christmas cookies to make every single year, and we're updating you on our novels. So two of our favorite subjects, cookies and novels!   Thank you to this week's sponsor: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Shopify.com/abm Try OneSkin with 15% off using code MESS at oneskin.co   Top 3 Christmas Cookies: Emma - Butter cookies, Snowball cookies, Peanut butter Blossoms, and Puppy chow Elsie - Sugar cookies, Gingerbread cookies, Thumbprint cookies, and Oreo truffles   Novel Update: Emma - On third draft - still need to have it proofed one more time Elsie - Rewrote entire novel after getting feedback on it   You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.  

This week we're going to share ideas for putting together advents, unique ideas, low cost or free holiday gift ideas, epic personalized gift ideas and neighborly gift ideas. And we'll also share our book report.   Thank you to this week's sponsor: 40% off your first month at Ritual.com/ABM   Adult Advent Ideas: Books Lipgloss Hair oil Dutch oven Water bottle Small treats T-shirt   Kid Advent Ideas: Reuse old toys Cookies Candy Snacks   Creative Gift Ideas: Watercolor post cards Fancy set of watercolors Journal   Low Cost (or free): Used book that you loved Pictures   Epic personalized gift ideas: Leather bound of their fave book CD player with CDs Record player with records Go on Etsy Jewerly Recipe engraved on cutting board Quilts Fancy food Snow outfit (for kids) Art   Neighborly gifts: Teachers - Have kids make cards with picture and money inside Jar of baking ingredients Free library   Book report Elsie: Piranesi by Suzanna Clark Emma: Apprentice to a Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer   You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.